We all know it when we see it. The piece that’s so much more than just a functional object. It’s truly a work of art. What makes some objects so distinct from the everyday items that we take for granted?

It’s the artisans behind the work – dedicated craftsmen and -women who have a passion for beauty, form, and function and the unique ability to balance and meld these into exquisite works of art that stand the test of time.

Photo: WF Marion Creative

chris williams

Knife Maker

Five years ago, Chris Williams was a member of a successful wealth management firm, but his off-hours were spent “hobbying around” with knife making. “Money management was fun, but making knives is way more fun,” he said.

Williams sold his first knife to a buddy who bought it for $20 when the two were shrimping together. Now his knives fetch upward of $300, and he has made more than 2,000 of them. Today his company, Williams Knife, employs two full-time workers. The company is based in Johns Island, South Carolina.

Each knife is custom made and takes at least 60 hours to create. Wait time for a knife can run anywhere from a few months to a full year. This labor-intensive process is a labor of love for Williams.

Photos: Williams Knife Co.

“I like every part of it from sourcing exotic woods to finding local bones for the inlay to curing the wood to honing the edge to hand sanding the piece,” he related. “Sometimes people say my knives are too pretty to use, but making them pretty is the easy part. Making them useful is what takes the work.” For instance, it took Williams 14 years to master the proper engineering of an oyster knife.

Most of the company’s product line is dedicated to fishing and hunting, but Williams is always looking for new challenges. Recently, he trailed chefs in Charleston, the culinary capital of the South, to learn how they used their knives so he could develop a chef’s line. It proved popular enough to spur a home cooking line of knives that recently debuted.

Williams is adamant that the Internet has made it possible for an artisan like himself to make a living. “There have been thousands of great knife makers throughout the years, but they couldn’t reach a customer base the way we can now,” he said. “I have customers all over the world.”

Photos: Williams Knife Co.

He also has some high-profile clients, including Davis Love III, the Ryder Cup® captain, who last year asked Williams to make 75 knives for golfers and celebrity friends like Michael Jordan and Justin Timberlake.

Williams understands the demand for his work. “When I buy things myself, I do tons of research because I want to buy something of quality that also has a person and a story behind it,” he said.

* Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery
charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling
and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options,
features and models subject to change without notice.

** EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary.

Subaru has the utmost respect for the environment and is a proud partner of Leave
No Trace. Care was taken not to harm the environment when taking this photo.

iPod and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.; Brembo is a registered trademark
of Freni Brembo S.p.A.; Alcantara is a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A and
Alcantara is produced by Toray Group.; TORSEN is a registered trademark of JTEKT
Corporation.; BBS is a registered trademark of BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG.; Bluetooth
is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.; HomeLink is a registered trademark
of Prince Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls.; Aha and Harman
Kardon are a registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Inc.; Android
is a trademark of Google Inc.; HD Radio is a registered trademark of iBiquity Digital
Corporation.; Pandora is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc.; SiriusXM
and SiriusXM NavTraffic are registered trademarks of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Inc.;
iHeart is a registered trademark of Clear Channel.

PLEASE REVIEW THESE IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES.
Subaru of America, Inc. reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice
or obligation to the information contained on this Internet site, prices, incentive
programs, specifications, equipment, colors, materials, product illustrations and
to change or discontinue models. All prices are based upon Manufacturer's Suggested
Retail Prices (""MSRP"") in U.S. dollars (unless otherwise indicated) and exclude
taxes, title fees, licensing, options and destination charges unless specifically
included. Retailers are independent businesses and are free to set their own retail
prices. All information contained at this Internet site is intended for the USA
market only.